Bilge pump for boats

ABSTRACT

A bilge pump for a boat or vessel of any type is provided which is operative in response to any movement of the boat in which the pump is provided, such as pitching or rolling. The pump includes preferably two or three diaphragm-type pumps mounted in a housing. A vertical shaft is rotatably mounted in a housing, the shaft is secured to an unbalanced mass exterior responsive to the movements of the boat to effect the rotation of the shaft. The end of the shaft remote from the end at which the mass is secured comprises an eccentric journal which is connected to a two- or three-arm member by a bearing and whose arms are in turn connected to the diaphragms for operating same successively to take in bilge water through intake pipes and valves and discharge same through outlet valves and pipes.

ma United States atem 51 3,644,062 ozic 1 Feb. 22, 1972 [54] BILGE PUMPFOR BOATS 1,325,773 12/1919 Babendreer ..417/211 [72] Inventor:lgerrsCgl zzlgcw, Avenue 1so1a-Be1la-06, Primary Examiner Robert M.walker Attorney-Baldwin, Wight & Brown [22] Filed: June 2, 1970 [21]Appl. No.: 42,717 [57] ABSTRACT A bilge pump for a boat or vessel of anytype is provided which [30] Foreign Application Prior"), Dam isoperative in response to any movement of the boat in which the pump 15provided, such as pitching or rolling. The pump June 6, 1969 France lincludes preferably two or three diaphragm-type pumps Oct. 2, 1969France ..6933728 mounted i a housing, A vertical shaft is rotatablymounted in a housing, the shaft is secured to an unbalanced massexterior U.S. responsive t th movements f th b t t ff t h t ti [5 1 1 pCl 19/00 of the shaft. The end of the shaft remote from the end at whichof Search 1, the mass is Secured comprises an eccentric journal which isconnected to a twoor three-arm member by a bearing and [56] ReferencesClted whose arms are in turn connected to the diaphragms for UNITEDSTATES PATENTS operating sam'e successively to take in bilge waterthrough intake pipes and valves and discharge same through outlet3,190,230 6/1965 Nielsen 417/211 valves and pipes 862,867 8/1907Eggleston .....417/390 2,068,653 1/ 1937 Brynild ..417/211 11 Claims, 8Drawing Figures PATENTEI] FEB 2 2 I972 SHEET 1 [IF 4 PATENTEDFEB22 m2SHEET 2 BF 4 FIG.3

BILGE PUMP FOR BOATS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to a bilge pump for boats.

It is known that it is frequently necessary to remove water whichaccumulates in the hulls of all types of boats. The means employedranging from a simple bailing scoop with a manually operated pump to amotorized pump depending on the size of the boat.

An object of the present invention is to put at the disposition of allboat owners a bilge pump which is in continuous operation withoutrequiring manual or mechanical driving force other than that which isassured by the rolling or the pitching of the boat or both incombination whether it be in a port, harbor or during navigation.

PRIOR ART Pumps are already known which have the same object but astheir operation is based on the pendulum movement of a mass, theiroperation is assured only by a predetermined degree of tilting and thepumping is not effectuated by a single pump body. Further, diaphragmtype pumps are also known in which the diaphragms are actuated by anoffset journal fixed to a shaft rotatably driven by a motor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention enables the achievementof the aforesaid object while assuring the continuous operation of thepump regardless of the direction and magnitude of the movements of theboat, the said movements also being gyratory and can therefore actuate aknown type of multiple diaphragm pump.

The bilge pump according to the invention comprises a shaft mounted byball bearings, roller bearings or needle bearings along the verticalaxis of a hollow housing and which carries an unbalanced mass or weightby means of an eccentric bearing surface on at least one lift-and-forcepump under the action of the movements of the sea on the boat in whichthe pump is mounted.

The pump or pumps controlled by the support shaft with an eccentricjournal are of the diaphragm-type and each diaphragm is connected to theeccentric journal which acts against it through a member having one ormore rigid or articulated arms.

A two-arm member having arms extending in opposite y directions can actat its ends against the diaphragms of two pumps arranged diametricallyopposite one another relative to the vertical axis of the housing. I

A three-arm member can act against the diaphragms of three pumps placedl20 from one another.

Two two-arm members superposed and perpendicular to one another can actupon four pumps arranged at 90 from one another.

Each pump comprises an inlet valve and an outlet valve, the said valvesof the same function being connected to one another by a peripheralchannel provided in the wall of the cubic pump body and each of thechannels open into a coupling member for external piping, one for thedischarge of the liquid and the other for the admission.

The inlet valves and the outlet valves are preferably formed as ballvalves.

Sealing members are inserted between the pump bodies and the partsurrounding the inlet and outlet valves.

The unbalanced mass or external weight comprises a horizontal armsecured to the vertical shaft and a vertical cylindrical part whichpartially surrounds the pump combination.

A particular embodiment of the pump comprises: a central bodyconstituted by a hollow cylindrical element provided with twocylindrical recesses diametrically opposite one another; twobasin-shaped pump bodies inserted into each one of the said recesses;two diaphragms held between the pump bodies and a seating provided ineach recess; a two-armed slotted member disposed on the same diameterfrom one end to the other of the axis of the housing and each connectedat its end to the diaphragm of one of the pumps, the slotted memberbeing mounted by the intermediary of a ball bearing on the eccentricjournal at the end of the vertical shaft extending through bearingssupported by a cover closing the upper opening of the hollow cylindricalelement; an unbalanced mass secured onto the external part of the saidvertical shaft; an annular rim surrounds the lower opening of the saidhollow element; an inlet valve placed at the bottom of each pump bodywhich open into a circular passage provided in the said rim and incommunication with suction pipe for the liquid; and finally, an outletvalve disposed at the top of each of the pump bodies and emptying intocircular passages formed in the said cover and in communication with adischarge pipe for the pumped liquid.

In another embodiment, the pump comprises a three arm member each armcomprising a yoke in which articulates a rod connected to the diaphragmof one of the three pumps arranged at l20 from one another in thecentral element of the pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be describedfurther in detail hereinbelow with reference to the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. I is a vertical sectional view of a pump according to the inventiontaken along the line I-I in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the pump.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pump body when viewed from thedirection of arrow F as shown in FIG. 1 with the mass or weight removed.1

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the pump.

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of an alternative embodiment of thepump taken along the line V-V of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the alternative embodiment of the pump.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the body of pump when viewed fromthe direction of arrow F as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the alternative embodiment of the pump.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, the pump comprises a central element 1 havinga cylindrical shape in which are provided two cylindrical recesses ladiametrically opposite one another with respect to the axis of element1, and including a seating lb formed during the molding of the saidelement which is preferably pressure molded of synthetic plasticmaterial.

The peripheral portion of a flexible circular diaphragm 2 is held by thewall 3a of the basin-shaped body of pump 3. The body of the pump 3 issecured on the seating lb by means of screws 4 (FIG. 3). The pump bodycould also be formed of synthetic material.

The top portion of the element 1 is covered by a piece 5 also ofsynthetic material and secured to the element 1 by means of screws 6.The piece 5 forms a cover and is provided at its center with a bearingsupport 5a in which are mounted two ball or roller bearings 7 and 7which receive a vertical shaft 8 secured by means ofa resilient splitring 9.

The lower end of the shaft 8 is provided with an eccentric journal 10which can turn in a two-armed slotted member I2 (FIG. 4) held on thesaid journal by an elastic split ring 13 through the intermediary ofaball bearing 11.

At each end of the slotted member 12 is provided a disc 12a and receivesa screw 12b traversing one of the circular diaphragm 2 after passingthrough a disc 14 which in combination with the disc 12a retains thediaphragm.

The upper portion ofthe shaft 8 extends through the cover 5 and isprovided with a collar 811 on which is supported the horizontal arm 15aof the unbalanced weight or mass 15 surrounding approximately l20 of thepump combination.

The arm 15a is held on the collar 8a by a washer 16 and a screw 17screwed into the shaft 8.

The screws 6 assure the watertight sealing between the cover and thecentral element 1 owing to the nature of these two members.

In one annular thickened portion 5b of the cover 5 are provided with twosemicircular passages 18 and 19 and sockets 30 inserted into recess Scinto which the two passages terminate.

The sockets 3c inserted in the cover 5 are connected to conduits 31;disposed in the wall of the pump body 3 and in which are placed ballvalves 21. The watertight scaling is assured in this zone by seal 22placed about the outlet valves.

The channel 23 in the central element 1 is in communication with theoutlet orifice 24 via passages 18 and 19.

A rim 25 is fixed along the lower surface of the element 1 by means ofscrews 26 (FlGS. 1 and 4). A circular passage 27 is provided in the rim25 in communication with the inlet orifice 28.

Seating inserts 29 each containing a ball valve 30 are screwed into thecentral element 1 in alignment with the outlet valves 21 and are incommunication with the passage 27 of the rim 25. A seal 31 assuressealing. Orifices 32 are in communication with each ball valve 30 formedwith the interior of each of the pump bodies.

Threaded holes 33 are provided in the rim 25 for enabling the pump to befixed onto a support.

The operation of the pump thus described is easily understood. I

The mass or weight 15 will undergo movements, either oscillatory withvariable amplitude or rotary making one or more complete revolutionscaused by the rolling or pitching or the combination of the two and ofgreater or less intensity according to the size of the undertow actingon the boat equipped with the pump described hereinabove.

All the movements of the unbalanced mass 15 will effect the rotation ofthe shaft 8 whose journal acts on the diaphragms 2 which in turn causechanges of volume in the pump 3 and the suction and discharge of liquidthrough the orifices 28 and 24 respectively.

The interest of the pump which is the object of the invention resides inthe fact that the pumping is uninterrupted and needs neithersurveillance nor frequent maintenance. The starting of diaphragm pumpsis done automatically which is a great advantage of this system.

Further, the unbalanced mass can be adjusted on the vertical shaftrelative to the distance from the axis of rotation of said shaft whichenables the adjustment of the amplitude of movement according to thetype of boat on which the pump is to be used.

ln an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 58, the pump comprises acentral element 41 having a cylindrical shape in which are providedthree circular recesses 41a situated at 120 from one another andincludes a seating 41b formed by molding the part 41 preferably formedby pressure molding ofsynthetic material.

The peripheral portion of the flexible circular diaphragm 42 is held bythe wall 43a of the basin-shaped body of the pump 43 in the seating 41bof each recess 41a. The body of the pump 43 is secured to the seating41b by means of screws 44 (FlG. 7). The pump body could also be formedby synthetic material.

The top portion of the element 41 is covered by a piece 45 also ofsynthetic material and secured to the part 41 by meansof screws 46. Thepiece 45 forms a cover and is provided at its center with a bearingsupport 45a in which are mounted two ball or roller bearings 47 and 47'which receive a vertical shaft 48 secured by means of a resilient splitring 49.

The lower end of the shaft 48 is provided with an eccentric journal 50about which can turn by the intermediary of a ball bearing 51 in threearmed slotted member (FIG. 8) each arm comprising a yoke in which a rod520 articulates about an axis 52b, the three armed member beingmaintained on the said journal by a resilient split ring 53.

Each ofthe small rods 52a is extended by a screw traversing a disc 520,one of the three diaphragms 42 and a second disc 54 forming acooperating nut in combination therewith retains the diaphragmtherebetween.

The upper portion of the shaft 48 extends through the cover 45 and isprovided with a collar 48a on which is supported the horizontal arm 55aof the unbalanced mass 55 surrounding approximately of the central part41.

The arm 55a is held on the collar 48:: by a Washer 56 and a screw 57screwed into the shaft 48. In one thickened annular portion 45b of thecover 45 are provided three passages 58, 59 and 60 (FIG. 6) havingsemicircular sections extending into the sockets 43c inserted inrecesses 45c into which the three passages terminate.

The sockets 43c inserted in the cover 45 engage conduits 43!) disposedin the wall of the body of the pump 45 and in which are placed ballvalves 61. The scaling is assured by seals 62 placed about the outletvalves.

A channel 63 in the central part 41 is in communication with thecombination of passages 58,59 and 60 and with a discharge orifice 64.

Along the lower surface of the central part 41 is secured a rim 65 bymeans ofscrews 66 (FIGS. 5 and 8).

A circular groove 67 is provided in the rim 65 in communication with thesuction orifice 68v Seating inserts 69 each containing a ball valve 70are screwed into the central part 41 in alignment with the ball valves61 and are in communication with the passage 67 of the rim 65. A seal 71assures the sealing. Holes 72 are in commu nication with each suctionvalve such formed with the interior of each of the pump bodies.

The operation of the pump thus described is the same as that of the pumpoperation already described.

The manufacture of the pump according to the present invention isconsiderably simplified since all its parts can be formed by pressuremolding of synthetic material or of a corrosion resistant metal.

The pump can be used in all cases in which it is fixed to an elementcapable of oscillating in all direction above an enclosure acting as areceptacle for liquid whether undesirable and in particular for bilgesof boats.

I claim:

1. A bilge pump for boats operative in response to the movements of theboat including rolling and pitching and the size of the undertow actingon the boat comprising, in com: bination, a housing, at least twodiaphragm-type pumps mounted in said housing, an upstanding shaftmounted for rotation in bearing means disposed in said housing, anunbalanced mass secured to the shaft exterior to said housing foreffecting the rotation of said shaft in response to the move ments ofthe boat, an eccentric journal provided on said shaft, a multiarm memberoperatively connected between the eccentric journal and each of thediaphragm pumps for operating the pumps in response to the eccentricmovement imparted by the eccentric journal, each of the diaphragm pumpsincluding an inlet and an outlet valve, the inlet valves being arrangedin communication with one another by a first plurality of channels inthe housing, the outlet valves being arranged in communication with oneanother by a second plurality of channels in the housing, the firstplurality of channels being connected to an intake pipe and the secondplurality of channels being connected to a discharge pipe, the housingincluding a hollow cylindrical element with a plurality of peripherallyspaced recesses with circular cross sections, basin-shaped pump bodiesinserted into each one of said recesses, a diaphragm held between eachpump body and an associated seating disposed in each of said recesses,the mul tiarm member being mounted on the eccentric journal by a bearingand connected at the periphery of its arms to the diaphragms.

2. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes acover closing the upper opening in the hollow cylindrical element and anannular ring surrounding the hollow cylindrical clement.

3. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein each inlet valve isdisposed at the lower part of its associated pump body, the said firstplurality of channels being formed in said ring and each outlet valve isdisposed in the upper part of its associated pump body, the said secondplurality of channels being formed in said cover.

4. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein there are two of saiddiaphragm pumps and said pumps are arranged diametrically opposite oneanother in their-respective recesses and wherein said multiarm memberhas two slotted arms.

5. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 3, wherein there are three of saiddiaphragm pumps and said pumps are arranged in recesses spaced 120 fromone another and wherein the said multiarm member has three slotted arms.

6. A bilge pump for boats operative in response to the movements of theboat including rolling and pitching and like movements of the boat, saidbilge pump comprising a tubular housing having axially spaced ends, aplurality diaphragm-type pumps mounted in said housing incircumferentially spaced relation, each pump including a radial recessin said housing, a pump body seated in each recess, inlet and outletvalve assemblies extending axially into each pump body through saidhousing ends, rings secured to the opposite ends of said housingretaining said valve assemblies in place, each of said rings having achannel therein in communication with respective ones of said valveassemblies, one of said channels being an inlet channel and the other ofsaid channels being an outlet channel, one of said rings being a part ofa cover for said housing and carrying bearing means, a shaft carried bysaid bearing means, an unbalanced mass secured to said shaft exteriorlyof said housing, and an eccentric connection within said housing betweensaid shaft and said pumps for converting rotational movement of saidshaft into radial movement at said pumps to actuate said pumps.

7. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein said housing has a cylindricalexterior, and the unbalanced mass comprises a lateral arm for securingthe mass to the said shaft and a longitudinal part-cylindrical weightpartially surrounding said housing. 1

8. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein said pump bodies have axiallyaligned bores, and said valve assemblies are in the form ofinsertsseated in said bores.

9. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein each recess is of a steppedconstruction and includes an outwardly facing seat. and each pumpincludes a diaphragm secured between a respective pump body and seat.

10. The bilge pump of claim 9 wherein said eccentric connection includesa rigid multiarm member rigidly secured to each diaphragm, and saidshaft has an eccentric shaft portion operatively connected to saidmultiarm member for shifting v the same relative to said housing.

11. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein each pump includes a diaphragmdisposed adjacent the interior of said housing, and said eccentricconnection includes a rigid multiarm member rigidly secured to eachdiaphragm, and said shaft has an eccentric shaft portion operativelyconnected to said multiarm member for shifting the same relative to saidhousing.

1. A bilge pump for boats operative in response to the movements of theboat including rolling and pitching and the size of the undertow actingon the boat comprising, in combination, a housing, at least twodiaphragm-type pumps mounted in said housing, an upstanding shaftmounted for rotation in bearing means disposed in said housing, anunbalanced mass secured to the shaft exterior to said housing foreffecting the rotation of said shaft in response to the movements of theboat, an eccentric journal provided on said shaft, a multiarm memberoperatively connected between the eccentric journal and each of thediaphragm pumps for operating the pumps in response to the eccentricmovement imparted by the eccentric journal, each of the diaphragm pumpsincluding an inlet and an outlet valve, the inlet valves being arrangedin communication with oNe another by a first plurality of channels inthe housing, the outlet valves being arranged in communication with oneanother by a second plurality of channels in the housing, the firstplurality of channels being connected to an intake pipe and the secondplurality of channels being connected to a discharge pipe, the housingincluding a hollow cylindrical element with a plurality of peripherallyspaced recesses with circular cross sections, basin-shaped pump bodiesinserted into each one of said recesses, a diaphragm held between eachpump body and an associated seating disposed in each of said recesses,the multiarm member being mounted on the eccentric journal by a bearingand connected at the periphery of its arms to the diaphragms.
 2. A bilgepump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing includes a cover closingthe upper opening in the hollow cylindrical element and an annular ringsurrounding the hollow cylindrical element.
 3. A bilge pump as claimedin claim 2, wherein each inlet valve is disposed at the lower part ofits associated pump body, the said first plurality of channels beingformed in said ring and each outlet valve is disposed in the upper partof its associated pump body, the said second plurality of channels beingformed in said cover.
 4. A bilge pump as claimed in claim 3, whereinthere are two of said diaphragm pumps and said pumps are arrangeddiametrically opposite one another in their respective recesses andwherein said multiarm member has two slotted arms.
 5. A bilge pump asclaimed in claim 3, wherein there are three of said diaphragm pumps andsaid pumps are arranged in recesses spaced 120* from one another andwherein the said multiarm member has three slotted arms.
 6. A bilge pumpfor boats operative in response to the movements of the boat includingrolling and pitching and like movements of the boat, said bilge pumpcomprising a tubular housing having axially spaced ends, a pluralitydiaphragm-type pumps mounted in said housing in circumferentially spacedrelation, each pump including a radial recess in said housing, a pumpbody seated in each recess, inlet and outlet valve assemblies extendingaxially into each pump body through said housing ends, rings secured tothe opposite ends of said housing retaining said valve assemblies inplace, each of said rings having a channel therein in communication withrespective ones of said valve assemblies, one of said channels being aninlet channel and the other of said channels being an outlet channel,one of said rings being a part of a cover for said housing and carryingbearing means, a shaft carried by said bearing means, an unbalanced masssecured to said shaft exteriorly of said housing, and an eccentricconnection within said housing between said shaft and said pumps forconverting rotational movement of said shaft into radial movement atsaid pumps to actuate said pumps.
 7. The bilge pump of claim 6 whereinsaid housing has a cylindrical exterior, and the unbalanced masscomprises a lateral arm for securing the mass to the said shaft and alongitudinal part-cylindrical weight partially surrounding said housing.8. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein said pump bodies have axiallyaligned bores, and said valve assemblies are in the form of insertsseated in said bores.
 9. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein each recessis of a stepped construction and includes an outwardly facing seat, andeach pump includes a diaphragm secured between a respective pump bodyand seat.
 10. The bilge pump of claim 9 wherein said eccentricconnection includes a rigid multiarm member rigidly secured to eachdiaphragm, and said shaft has an eccentric shaft portion operativelyconnected to said multiarm member for shifting the same relative to saidhousing.
 11. The bilge pump of claim 6 wherein each pump includes adiaphragm disposed adjacent the interior of said housing, and saideccentric connection includes a rigid multiarm member rigidly secured toeach diaphragm, aNd said shaft has an eccentric shaft portionoperatively connected to said multiarm member for shifting the samerelative to said housing.